U.S. patent application number 12/740343 was filed with the patent office on 2011-01-13 for electronic access system.
This patent application is currently assigned to GAINSBOROUGH HARDWARE INDUSTRIES LIMITED. Invention is credited to Ian Bartos, Stuart Clark, Harry Lambrou, Sajan K. Velandi, Alan Roy Wilton.
Application Number | 20110006879 12/740343 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40590437 |
Filed Date | 2011-01-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110006879 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lambrou; Harry ; et
al. |
January 13, 2011 |
ELECTRONIC ACCESS SYSTEM
Abstract
Methods and systems are described herein for remotely or
wirelessly controlling access to dwellings, buildings and/or
properties. In one aspect, an electronic access system comprises: a
plurality of independent access control devices (115, 125, 135,
145, 155, 165) for controlling entry and/or exit at respective
access points and at least one remote control device (170) adapted
to wirelessly transmit control signals to the access control
devices (115, 125, 135, 145, 155, 165) and wirelessly receive
feedback signals from the access control devices. The at least one
remote control device (170) is adapted to indicate status
information based on receipt of the feedback signals. The plurality
of access control devices (115, 125, 135, 145, 155, 165) may be
adapted to operate mechanical, electrical or electro-mechanical
devices for enabling and/or disabling access in response to receipt
of a wireless control signal.
Inventors: |
Lambrou; Harry; (Victoria,
AU) ; Velandi; Sajan K.; (Victoria, AU) ;
Clark; Stuart; (Victoria, AU) ; Wilton; Alan Roy;
(Victoria, AU) ; Bartos; Ian; (Victoria,
AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LADAS & PARRY
5670 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, SUITE 2100
LOS ANGELES
CA
90036-5679
US
|
Assignee: |
GAINSBOROUGH HARDWARE INDUSTRIES
LIMITED
Victoria
AU
|
Family ID: |
40590437 |
Appl. No.: |
12/740343 |
Filed: |
October 28, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
October 28, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU2008/001592 |
371 Date: |
September 9, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/5.64 ;
340/5.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08C 2201/50 20130101;
G07C 2209/04 20130101; G08C 17/02 20130101; G07C 9/28 20200101;
G07C 2209/62 20130101; G08B 25/008 20130101; G07C 9/00309 20130101;
G07C 2009/00928 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/5.64 ;
340/5.2 |
International
Class: |
G05B 19/00 20060101
G05B019/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 1, 2007 |
AU |
2007906011 |
Claims
1. An electronic access system for providing selective access to a
building or property, said electronic access system comprising: a
plurality of independent access control devices for controlling
access to said building or property, each of said access control
devices comprising a radio frequency receiver for wirelessly
receiving control signals; at least one remote control device
adapted to wirelessly transmit control signals to said access
control devices and wirelessly receive feedback signals from said
access control devices; wherein said at least one remote control
device is adapted to indicate status information based on receipt
of said feedback signals.
2. The electronic access system of claim 1, wherein said plurality
of access control devices are adapted to operate a mechanical,
electrical or electro-mechanical device for enabling and/or
disabling access in response to receipt of a wireless control
signal.
3. The electronic access system of claim 1, wherein at least one of
said plurality of access control devices is integrated with an
electronically operable door lock mechanism and is adapted to
operate said electronically operable door lock mechanism in
response to receipt of a wireless control signal.
4. The electronic access system of claim 2, wherein at least one of
said plurality of access control devices is adapted to wirelessly
transmit a feedback signal indicative of operation of said
mechanical, electrical or electro-mechanical device.
5. The electronic access system of claim 4, wherein said at least
one remote control device is adapted to visually indicate
successful and/or unsuccessful operation of said mechanical,
electrical or electro-mechanical device.
6. The electronic access system of claim 5, comprising at least two
of said remote control devices and wherein at least one of said
plurality of access control devices is adapted to operate said
mechanical, electrical or electro-mechanical device in response to
wireless receipt of a control signal from any one of said at least
two remote control devices.
7. The electronic access system of claim 6, comprising at least one
builder's remote control device and at least one owner's remote
control device; and wherein said plurality of access control
devices are adapted to permanently cease to operate a respective
mechanical, electrical or electro-mechanical device in response to
receipt of a wireless control signal from said at least one
builder's remote control device after first receipt of a wireless
control signal from said at least one owner's remote control
device.
8. The electronic access system of claim 1, wherein said plurality
of access control devices are adapted to enter a learning mode when
said learning mode is activated, whereby said plurality of access
control devices learn one or more remote control devices such that
said plurality of access control devices can uniquely identify a
remote control device from which a control signal is wirelessly
received.
9. The electronic access system of claim 1, wherein at least one
access control device is adapted to determine and store whether
said at least one remote control device is adapted to wirelessly
receive feedback signals.
10. The electronic access system of claim 1 or claim 9, wherein
said at least one remote control device is adapted to determine and
store whether said access control devices are adapted to wirelessly
transmit feedback signals.
11. A remote control device for use with an electronic access
system for providing selective access to a building or property,
said remote control device comprising: a wireless transmitter for
transmitting control signals to one or more access control devices
in said electronic access system; and a radio frequency
identification (RFID) reader coupled to said wireless transmitter;
wherein said remote control device is adapted to: determine
presence or otherwise, using said RFID reader, of a radio frequency
identification (RFID) tag in response to operation of said remote
control device by a user; and transmit a control signal only if
said RFID reader detects presence of a valid RFID tag; wherein said
remote control device and said RFID tag comprise physically
separate devices.
12. The remote control device of claim 11, further comprising a
receiver for wirelessly receiving feedback signals from said one or
more access control devices; wherein said remote control device is
adapted to indicate status information based on receipt of said
feedback signals.
13. A method performed by an access control device for selectively
providing access to a building or property, said method comprising
the steps of: enabling access to said building or property in
response to receipt by said access control device of a wireless
control signal transmitted from a first class of remote control
device; and upon first receipt of a wireless control signal by said
access control device from a second class of remote control device,
said access control device thereafter ceasing to provide access to
said building or property in response to receipt of further
wireless control signals transmitted by said first class of remote
control device.
14. A method performed by a wireless remote control device for
selectively providing access to a building or property, said method
comprising the steps of: upon detecting a request for access to
said building or property, determining presence or otherwise of a
radio frequency identification (RFID) tag located physically
separately to said wireless remote control device; and wirelessly
transmitting a control signal to a remote access control device
only if said RFID tag is present.
15. The method of claim 14, comprising the further steps of:
wirelessly receiving a feedback signal from said access control
device; and indicating status information based on receipt of said
feedback signal.
16. A remote control device for use with an electronic access
system for providing selective access to a building or property,
said remote control device comprising: a wireless transmitter for
transmitting control signals to an access control device; a
wireless receiver for receiving feedback signals from said access
control device; and processing and memory means adapted to
determine and store whether said access control device is adapted
to wirelessly transmit feedback signals.
17. An access control device for use with an electronic access
system for providing selective access to a building or property,
said access control device comprising: a wireless receiver for
receiving control signals from a remote control device; a wireless
transmitter for transmitting feedback signals to said remote
control device; and processing and memory means adapted to
determine and store whether said remote control device is adapted
to wirelessly receive feedback signals.
18. The electronic access system of claim 1, wherein: said at least
one remote control device comprises at least one function key and a
function multiplication key; and activation of said function
multiplication key one or more times prior to activation of a
function key on said at least one remote control device causes said
function key to operate different functions.
19. The remote control device of claim 17, comprising at least one
function key and a function multiplication key; wherein activation
of said function multiplication key one or more times prior to
activation of a function key on said at least one remote control
device causes said function key to operate different functions.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is the U.S. National Stage of International
Patent Application No. PCT/AU2008/001592 Filed on Oct. 28, 2008,
which claims priority to Australian Patent Application No.
2007906011 Filed on Nov. 1, 2007, the disclosures of which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to electronic access
systems and more particularly to remotely operable electronic
systems, methods and devices for controlling access of dwellings
and other buildings and/or premises.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Access control systems are becoming more prevalent as
security concerns increasingly pervade modern society. Electronic
access systems, particularly those employing proximity cards and
proximity card readers, are widely used to control access in
commercial buildings or premises. In certain cases, such electronic
access systems are integrated with or interfaced to a building
management system.
[0004] Electronic access systems are also widely used to control
access to dwellings or domestic premises. Such electronic access
systems are generally limited to remote control operation of gates
and garage door operators and activation/deactivation of burglar
alarms.
[0005] In view of the foregoing, a need continually exists for
improved methods, systems and devices for remotely or wirelessly
controlling access to dwellings, buildings and/or properties.
SUMMARY
[0006] A first aspect of the present invention provides an
electronic access system for providing selective access to a
building or property, said electronic access system comprising: a
plurality of independent access control devices for controlling
access to said building or property, each of said access control
devices comprising a radio frequency receiver for wirelessly
receiving control signals; at least one remote control device
adapted to wirelessly transmit control signals to said access
control devices and wirelessly receive feedback signals from said
access control devices; wherein said at least one remote control
device is adapted to indicate status information based on receipt
of said feedback signals.
[0007] The electronic access system may comprise at least one
builder's remote control device and at least one owner's remote
control device, and the access control devices may be adapted to
cease to operate a respective mechanical, electrical or
electro-mechanical device in response to receipt of a wireless
control signal from the at least one builder's remote control
device after first receipt of a wireless control signal from the at
least one owner's remote control device.
[0008] Another aspect of the present invention provides a remote
control device for use with an electronic access system for
providing selective access to a building or property, said remote
control device comprising: a wireless transmitter for transmitting
control signals to one or more access control devices in said
electronic access system; and a radio frequency identification
(RFID) reader coupled to said wireless transmitter wherein said
remote control device is adapted to: determine presence or
otherwise, using said RFID reader, of a radio frequency
identification (RFID) tag in response to operation of said remote
control device by a user; and transmit a control signal only if
said RFID reader detects presence of a valid RFID tag; wherein said
remote control device and said RFID tag comprise physically
separate devices.
[0009] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method
performed by an access control device for selectively providing
access to a building or property, said method comprising the steps
of: enabling access to said building or property in response to
receipt by said access control device of a wireless control signal
transmitted from a first class of remote control device; and upon
first receipt of a wireless control signal by said access control
device from a second class of remote control device, said access
control device thereafter ceasing to provide access to said
building or property in response to receipt of further wireless
control signals transmitted by said first class of remote control
device.
[0010] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method
performed by a wireless remote control device for selectively
providing access to a building or property. The method comprises
the steps of: upon detecting a request for access to said building
or property, determining presence or otherwise of a radio frequency
identification (RFID) tag located physically separately to said
wireless remote control device; and wirelessly transmitting a
control signal to a remote access control device only if said RFID
tag is present.
[0011] Another aspect of the present invention provides a remote
control device for use with an electronic access system for
providing selective access to a building or property. The remote
control device comprises: a wireless transmitter for transmitting
control signals to an access control device; a wireless receiver
for receiving feedback signals from the access control device; and
processing and memory means adapted to determine and store whether
the access control device is adapted to wirelessly transmit
feedback signals.
[0012] Another aspect of the present invention provides an access
control device for use with an electronic access system for
providing selective access to a building or property. The access
control device comprises: a wireless receiver for receiving control
signals from a remote control device; a wireless transmitter for
transmitting feedback signals to the remote control device; and
processing and memory means adapted to determine and store whether
the remote control device is adapted to wirelessly receive feedback
signals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] A small number of embodiments are described hereinafter, by
way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an electronic access
system applied to a dwelling;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an electronic access
system applied to a multi-flat dwelling;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an electronic access
system installed at separate sites of a particular user;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a learning process in which an
access control device learns to uniquely identify remote control
devices from which control signals are to be wirelessly received;
and
[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a remote control
device for use with an electronic access system in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Methods, systems and devices are described hereinafter for
remotely or wirelessly controlling access to dwellings, buildings
and/or properties.
[0020] Embodiments of the present invention include remote control
devices for wirelessly controlling one or more access control
devices. The access control devices, in turn, control mechanical,
electrical or electro-mechanical devices that control access to
dwellings, buildings or properties (e.g., electrically operable
door lock mechanisms, gate and garage door operators, alarms, etc).
The access control devices may be independent of each other, that
is, the access control devices need not be to coupled to one
another or networked and may operate in a "stand-alone"
fashion.
[0021] The remote control devices may comprise handheld devices
having a number of keys (each representing a control channel) for
controlling various functions in an electronic access system. In
certain cases, separate keys may be used to initiate wireless
transmission of complementary open/close or activate/deactivate
control signals. In other cases, successive activations of the same
key may be used to initiate control of complementary open/close or
activate/deactivate control signals. Certain of the remote control
devices may comprise a "function multiplication key" that enables
the remaining function keys of the remote control device to have
multiple functionalities. For example, pressing or activating the
"function multiplication key" just prior to activating a particular
function key causes one or more of the function keys to operate
different functions compared to if the function keys were activated
without first activating the "function multiplication key". In
other words, different functions may be accessed by activating the
same function key after one or more prior activations of the
"function multiplication key", Activation of the "function
multiplication key" may automatically time out (and turn off) if a
function key is not activated within a selected time duration. The
remote control device may also provide visual feedback of
activation of the "function multiplication key". For example, a
multi-coloured light emitting diode (LED) on the remote control
device may glow green if the "function multiplication key" is
activated once, red if the "function multiplication key" is
activated twice, and yellow if the "function multiplication key" is
activated thrice. As is evident from the foregoing description, the
"function multiplication key" does not need to be held down while a
function key is activated.
[0022] In embodiments of the present invention, the remote control
devices and/or access control devices may be feedback-enabled for
transmitting and/or receiving feedback signals to indicate status
information (e.g., successful and/or unsuccessful operation of the
access control devices and/or their respective operators or
functions). In other words, certain of the remote control devices
may be transmitters only, whereas others of the remote control
devices may be transceivers and thus capable of wirelessly
receiving feedback signals from the access control devices.
Similarly, certain of the access control devices may be receivers
only, whereas others of the access control devices may be
transceivers and thus capable of wirelessly transmitting feedback
signals to the remote control devices.
[0023] After transmitting a control signal (e.g., in response to a
user activating a key), a feedback-enabled remote control device
may listen for a feedback signal for a predetermined period (e.g.,
30 seconds) from the access control device the control signal was
sent to. Feedback status is typically indicated to a user of the
remote control device by way of a visual interface (e.g., light
emitting diode/s), but may also take other forms such as an audible
interface (e.g., a beeper). Furthermore, not all of the access
control devices may be capable of wirelessly transmitting feedback
signals to the remote control devices. Non-receipt of a feedback
signal by a remote control device from a feedback-enabled access
control device (error status) may also be indicated to a user of
the remote control device.
[0024] Certain embodiments described hereinafter refer to or show
remote control devices having four or six keys or channels.
However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other
numbers of keys or channels are also possible. Furthermore,
multiple remote control devices may be practiced to operate the
same access control devices and their respective operators or
functions. The access control devices may be put in a learn mode,
during which time control signals wirelessly transmitted from one
or more remote control devices may be learnt to enable the access
control devices to uniquely identify a remote control device that a
control signal is received from.
[0025] As would be well understood by those skilled in the relevant
art, the remote control devices and access control devices
typically use radio frequency (RF) signals and rolling codes, as
opposed to fixed codes, for enhanced security. Embodiments of the
present invention may be practiced using off-the-shelf chipsets or
integrated circuits to implement the wireless, rolling code
transmitters, receivers and/or transceivers. The wireless signals
are structured according to a RF protocol, which includes
individual channel identification codes to enable differentiation
between signals transmitted by different remote control devices
and/or in response to activation of different keys on a particular
remote control device.
[0026] The access control devices may comprise electronically
operable door lock mechanisms or electronic controllers that
include, or are coupled to, wireless receivers or transceivers.
Receivers only are sufficient in cases where access control devices
do not provide feedback (i.e., are not feedback-enabled), however,
transceivers are required for feedback to be provided. The
electronic controllers typically include configurable voltage free
contacts (e.g., normally open or normally closed contacts rated for
10A @ 240V) that may be used to control motorized operators and
other mechanical, electrical and electromechanical devices.
Feedback signals may be provided by sensors such as reed switches
for detecting open/closed doors, etc. The is contacts may be
configured to operate in a bi-stable fashion (e.g., as a single
pole-double throw (SPDT) switch for operating lights,
arming/disarming an alarm, etc) or in a mono-stable fashion (e.g.,
the contacts may be opened or closed for a predetermined period of
time such as 1, 5, 10 or 20 seconds in response to receipt of a
control signal). Although embodiments of electronic access systems
described hereinafter comprise multiple access control devices, an
electronic access system having only a single access control device
may also be practised.
[0027] FIG. 1 shows an electronic access system applied to a
dwelling 100. Referring to FIG. 1, independent access control
devices 115 and 125 comprise electronically operable door lock
mechanisms for controlling entry and/or exit of the front door 110
and back door 120 of the dwelling 100, respectively. Access control
devices 115 and 125 are both battery powered, however, access
control device 115 includes rechargeable batteries that are charged
using a mains-powered transformer and an inductive coupling
mechanism for transferring power to the access control device 115.
Each of the access control devices 115 and 125 include a radio
frequency receiver for wirelessly receiving control signals for
operating the respective electronically operable door lock
mechanism.
[0028] Each of independent access control devices 135, 145, 155 and
165 also include a radio frequency receiver for receiving wireless
control signals for controlling respective functions. For example,
access control device 135 controls activation and deactivation of a
burglar alarm 130. Similarly, independent access control devices
145, 155 and 165 are installed to control operators for a gate 140,
driveway gates 150 and a garage door 160, respectively.
[0029] A remote control device 170 is adapted to wirelessly
transmit control signals to the access control devices 115, 125,
135, 145, 155 and 165. One of the keys on the remote control device
170 may be configured as a shift key, thus enabling dual
functionality of each of the remaining five keys. In this manner, a
six key remote control device can be made capable of controlling
ten independent access control devices (i.e., the shift key enables
the remaining five keys to each be used to control two independent
functions or access control devices). The remote device 170 is also
adapted to wirelessly receive feedback signals from the access
control devices 115, 125, 135, 145, 155 and 165. Such feedback
signals may be used to indicate status information (e.g.,
successful and/or unsuccessful operation of the access control
devices and their respective operators or functions).
[0030] FIG. 2 shows an electronic access system applied to a
multi-flat dwelling 200. Referring to FIG. 2, each of flats 210,
220 and 230 have a respective independent access control device
214, 224 and 234 for controlling entry and/or exit at front doors
212, 222 and 232, respectively. The independent access control
devices 214, 224 and 234 comprise electronically operable door lock
mechanisms as described herein before with reference to FIG. 1.
Additionally, independent access control devices 275 and 285 are
for controlling an electric strike on a gate 270 and an operator to
open and close driveway gates 280, respectively.
[0031] The remote control device 240 may be used to control the
access control devices 214, 275 and 285 to provide access to the
front door 212 of the flat 210, the gate 270 and the driveway gates
280, respectively. Similarly, the remote control device 250 may be
used to control the access control devices 224, 275 and 285 to
provide access at the front door 222 of the flat 220, the gate 270
and the driveway gates 280. Similarly, the remote control device
260 may be used to control the access control devices 234, 275 and
285 to provide access to the front door 232 of flat 230, the gate
270 and the driveways gates 280, respectively. Thus, each of the
remote control devices 240, 250 and 260 may be used to control
access to the common gate 270 and driveway gates 280. However,
access to the front doors 212, 222 and 232 is restricted to a
respective remote control device 240, 250 or 260. In order to
provide the foregoing access functionality, the access control
devices 275 and 285 each learn to recognize a wireless radio signal
transmitted when one of the keys of the remote control devices 240,
250 and 260 are activated. The access control device 214 is taught
to only recognize a control signal wireless transmitted when one of
the keys of the remote control device 240 is activated. Similarly,
the access control devices 224 and 234 are taught to only recognize
control signals transmitted wirelessly when one of the keys of
remote control devices 250 and 260 are activated, respectively. In
this way, selective access of the front doors 212, 222 and 232 of
the flats 210, 220 and 230, respectively may be achieved.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows independent electronic access systems installed
at an office site 310 and a home site 320 of a particular user. At
the office site, an access control device 314 is used to control
access to the front door 312 of the office 310. At the home site
320, an access control device 324 is used to control access to the
front door 322 of the home 320 and an access control device 328 is
used to control access to a rear door 326 of the home 320.
[0033] A common remote control device 330 may be used to access the
front door 312 of the office 310 and the front door 322 and the
rear door 326 of the home 320. This is accomplished by individually
teaching each of the respective access control devices 314, 324 and
328 to recognize a control signal wireless transmitted when a
particular key of the remote control device 330 is activated.
[0034] The effective wireless transmission range of the remote
control device 330 is about 30 m. Thus, if the office site 310 and
the home site 320 are separated by more than 100 meters, say, a
single key of the remote control device 330 may be used to control
individual access control devices at both the office site 310 and
the home site 320. For example, a particular key of the remote
control device 330 may be used to control the front door access
control device 314 at the office 310 and the front door access
control device 324 at the home 320. In this scenario, each of the
access control devices 314 and 324 would learn to recognize control
signals wirelessly transmitted when one particular key on the
remote control device 330 is activated.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a learning process in which an
access control device learns to uniquely identify remote control
devices from which control signals are to be wirelessly
received.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 4, the access control device enters the
learn mode at step 410. Those skilled in the art would appreciate
that the learn mode may be activated in numerous different ways.
For example, by way of receipt of a `learn mode activation` signal
from a remote control device or a computer system interfaced to the
access control device, or by a user pressing a key on the access
control device. Different learning modes may be activated by
receipt of different `learn mode activation` signals. In this
manner, access control devices may be restricted to learn only a
certain type of remote control device in response to a particular
`learn mode activation` signal, thus enabling differentiation
between classes of remote control devices.
[0037] At step 420, a determination is made whether the learn mode
has timed out. If so (Y), the learn mode is exited at step 425. If
not (N), a determination is made at step 430 whether a remote
control device is to be added. If so (Y), the unique ID of remote
control device to be added is read at step 432 (a user is required
to activate a key on the remote control device at this juncture for
reading/learning) and stored in the memory of the access control
device. At step 434, a determination is made whether the add option
has timed out. If so (Y) the learn mode is exited at step 450. If
not (N) a determination is made at step 436 whether the add option
is complete. If not (N) processing returns to step 432 to read
another remote control device. If so (Y), the learning mode is
exited at step 438.
[0038] Returning to step 430, if a remote control device is to be
replaced (Y), the unique ID of the replacement remote control
device is read at step 442 (a user is required to activate a key on
the remote control device at this juncture for reading/learning),
the unique ID/s of the remote control device/s currently stored in
the memory of the access control device are erased and the unique
ID of the newly read remote control device is stored in the memory
of the access control device. At step 444, a determination is made
whether the replace option has timed out. If so (Y), the learn mode
is exited at step 450. If not (N) a determination is made at step
446 whether the replace option is complete. If not (N) processing
returns to step 442 to read another remote control device. If so
(Y), the learning mode is exited at step 448.
[0039] An access control device may determine whether each
particular remote control device is feedback-enabled, or not,
during the learning process. This information may be stored in the
memory of the access control device, thus enabling the access
control device to determine whether to wirelessly transmit feedback
signals in response to a wirelessly received control signal, or
not.
[0040] A feature provided in certain embodiments of the present
invention is a builder/owner access handover capability. When a
completed building or property is handed over to the owner by the
builder, it is desirable that the builder be prevented from
accessing the building or property thereafter. This access handover
capability/feature enables remote control devices of a first class
(e.g., a builder's remote control device) to initially operate the
access control device/s installed at a particular building or
property. However, upon first receipt of a wireless control signal
from one of a second class of remote control device (e.g., an
owner's remote control device), the access control device/s is/are
adapted to thereafter prevent access to the building or property in
response to receipt of a wireless control signal transmitted from
remote control devices of the first class. In other words, once a
wireless control signal is received from an owner's remote control
device, the access control device thereafter ceases to recognise or
provide access in response to a control signal received from a
builder's remote control device.
[0041] The identification codes of the builder's remote control
device/s may be deleted from the memory of the access control
device/s upon first receipt of a control signal from an owner's
remote control device.
[0042] FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a remote control device for
use with an electronic access system in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the
remote control device 500 comprises a wireless transmitter 502 and
a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader 504. In certain
embodiments, the remote control device 500 may comprise a remote
control device such as the remote control devices described
hereinbefore with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4) with the radio
frequency identification (RFID) reader 504 additionally located
within a single housing. However, in other embodiments, the
wireless transmitter 502 and the radio frequency identification
(RFID) reader 504 may comprise physically separate devices
connected by a cable or encrypted radio frequency (RF) link.
[0043] In operation, when the remote control device 500 is operated
by a user to wirelessly transmit a control signal to a remote
access control device, the remote control device 500 firstly
detects whether a valid RFID tag 520 is present using the RFID
reader 504. The RFID reader 504 emits an energizing or activation
signal 515 that powers up or activates the RFID tag 520, if the
RFID tag 520 is present (e.g., within a range of 1 m). If present,
the RFID tag 520 modifies the activation signal 515 (if the RFID
tag is passive) or returns a signal 525 to the RFID reader 504 (if
the RFID tag is active). If the RFID tag 520 is present and/or
valid, the remote control device 500 wirelessly transmits a control
signal 510 to the remote access control device. On the other hand,
if an RFID tag 520 is not present and/or is invalid, the remote
control device 500 does not wirelessly transmit a control signal
510 to the remote access control device. A `valid` RFID tag may
simply be a tag that provides a valid signal to the RFID reader 504
or a tag that the RFID reader 504 has specifically learnt to
recognize.
[0044] The arrangement of FIG. 5 provides additional security by
requiring qualification from the RFID tag 520 before the remote
control device 500 proceeds to wirelessly transmit a control signal
to a remote access control device. For example the remote control
device 500 may be used to access a dwelling (e.g., a garage door)
from within a car. An authorized user would have a valid RFID tag
520 present in the car, possibly attached to the key ring of the
key for the car. When the remote control device 500 is activated by
the user to operate the garage door, the RFID reader 504 in the
remote control device 500 determines whether the RFID tag 520 is
present or not before wirelessly transmitting a control signal to
the remote access control device. In this way, a remote control
device 500 left in a car cannot be used in the absence of the RFID
tag 520.
[0045] The RFID reader 504 may learn additional or replacement RFID
tags in a manner similar to that described hereinbefore with
reference to access control devices learning remote control
devices.
[0046] As described hereinbefore, the remote control devices and
access control devices of embodiments of the present invention may
be feedback-enabled for receiving and transmitting, respectively,
feedback signals to indicate status information (e.g., successful
and/or unsuccessful operation of the access control devices and/or
their respective operators or functions) in response to a control
signal.
[0047] In certain embodiments, the access control devices determine
and store whether the remote control devices are feedback-enabled
(for example, while an access control device is learning the unique
ID of a particular remote control device). This enables an access
control device to only provide feedback signals to a remote control
device that the access control device knows to be feedback-enabled.
Accordingly, a feedback-enabled remote control device can indicate
status information (e.g., successful and/or unsuccessful operation
of the access control device) based on a feedback signal received
from an access control device. However, a feedback-enabled remote
control device is unable to indicate an error if a feedback signal
is not received from an access control device within a
predetermined time (e.g., 30 seconds) after transmission of a
control signal by the remote control device as the remote control
device is unable to differentiate between a feedback-enabled access
control device and a non-feedback-enabled access control
device.
[0048] In other embodiments, the remote control devices may
determine and store whether access control devices are
feedback-enabled (for example, while an access control device is
learning the unique ID of a particular remote control device). This
enables a remote control device to only listen for feedback signals
from access control devices that the remote control device knows to
be feedback-enabled--feedback signals from access control devices
that the remote control device knows not to be feedback-enabled are
not listened for. Accordingly, a feedback-enabled remote control
device can indicate an error if no feedback signal is received from
a feedback-enabled access control device within a predetermined
time (e.g., 30 seconds) after transmission of a control signal by
the remote control device.
[0049] Non-feedback-enabled remote control devices do not listen
for feedback from either feedback-enabled or non-feedback-enabled
access control devices.
[0050] In certain embodiments, both access control devices and
remote control devices may determine and store whether the other
are feedback-enabled.
[0051] The feedback-enabled access control devices and remote
control devices described hereinbefore comprise wireless
transmitters and receivers for wirelessly transmitting and
receiving control signals and feedback signals and processing and
memory means (e.g., a processor and internal or external memory, or
a state machine and memory) for determining and storing whether
other devices are adapted to wirelessly transmit and/or receive
feedback signals.
[0052] In certain embodiments, a different type of remote control
device may be provided that enables external or third party devices
or systems (e.g., a home automation system) to control access
control devices of the present invention. In this instance, the
keys of the remote control device are replaced by contactors and
the visual feedback indicators (e.g., LEDs) are replaced by relays
or solid state switches. This enables an external control device to
activate the contactors and receive feedback signals from the relay
or solid state switch contacts without the need for human operation
or intervention.
[0053] A Building Database Box or Maison Box may be used under the
control of a software program running on a computer system (e.g., a
personal computer system) to add or delete remote control devices
or to reassign remote control devices to alternate access control
devices, without the remote control devices actually being present.
The software program and/or Building Database Box maintain/s a list
of access control devices in the electronic access system and
remote control devices that have been learnt by the respective
access control devices. The list may comprise a matrix showing
which remote control devices have been learnt by which access
control devices.
[0054] The foregoing description provides exemplary embodiments
only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or
configurations of the present invention. Rather, the description of
the exemplary embodiments provides those skilled in the art with
enabling descriptions for implementing an embodiment of the
invention. Various changes may be made in the function and
arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention as set forth in the claims hereinafter.
[0055] Where specific features, elements and steps referred to
herein have known equivalents in the art to which the invention
relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated
herein as if individually set forth. Furthermore, features,
elements and steps referred to in respect of particular embodiments
may optionally form part of any of the other embodiments unless
stated to the contrary.
[Australia Only]
[0056] The term "comprising", as used herein, is intended to have
an open-ended, non-exclusive meaning. For example, the term is
intended to mean: "including principally, but not necessarily
solely" and not to mean "consisting essentially of" or "consisting
is only of". Variations of the term "comprising", such as
"comprise", "comprises" and "is comprised of", have corresponding
meanings.
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